Iran: Persepolis football coach among eight summoned for protest comments

The coach of one of Iran's best-known football teams is among eight celebrities and politicians interrogated for their comments about protests which have shaken the country, the judiciary has said.

Yahya Golmohammadi, coach of Persepolis FC, was questioned along with two former reformist members of parliament, Mahmoud Sadeghi and Parvaneh Salahshouri, about "the publication of non-documented or offensive content", the judiciary's Mizan Online website said late on Saturday.

Golmohammadi has strongly criticised players of Iran's national team for not "bringing the voice of oppressed people to the ears of the authorities".

The comment came after Iran's national team last week met President Ebrahim Raisi ahead of their appearance in the World Cup which begins on Sunday in Qatar.

The Islamic Republic has been rocked by protests since the 16 September death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian, after her arrest for an alleged breach of Iran's dress rules for women. Amini's Kurdish first name can be spelt "Zhina" or "Jina".

Thousands of people have been arrested after what officials call "riots" which they allege have been fomented by foreign enemies.

The two ex-MPs have used Twitter to support the protests and have denounced authorities' use of force against demonstrators.

According to Mizan, five actresses including Mitra Hajjar and Baran Kosari were also summoned, for publication of "provocative content".

"Following comments written without proof on the recent events, as well as the publication of provocative material in support of these riots by political personalities and celebrities," the eight individuals were called in on Saturday by Tehran's public prosecutor, Mizan Online said.

On Sunday the Instagram accounts of Golmohammadi and Kosari were no longer available online.

Iran on Thursday accused its-arch foe Israel and Western intelligence services of plotting to start a civil war in the country.https://t.co/U0QOyEl4dJ

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) November 18, 2022

Prominent Iranian ex-footballers have voiced support for the protesters, and national team players have faced calls from activists to use the World Cup to show solidarity with demonstrators who have been killed.

In a friendly against Nicaragua earlier this month, just two players sang the national anthem. The rest stood in silence.

Figures from Iran's film industry have also spoken out for the protesters.

Late on Saturday, Iranian director Emad Aleebrahim Dehkordi won the Etoile d'Or top award at the Marrakech International Film Festival for his debut feature "A Tale of Shemroon".

He dedicated his prize to "all the women of Iran".